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Our Mission

Eliminate Cancer

Will you be the one in three women diagnosed with some form of cancer during your lifetime? If not, you will likely know her. She may be your friend, neighbor, mother, sister or even your daughter. With your support, The Mary Kay Foundation is dedicated to eliminating cancers affecting women.

End Domestic Violence

Home should be a safe haven. Unfortunately, the homes of thousands of women and children are plagued by domestic violence. With your help, The Mary Kay Foundation is committed to stopping the violence, breaking the silence and making a difference for these women and children.

Our History

Virtually everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. Mary Kay Ash's personal encounter came in 1980 when her husband, Mel Ash, died of lung cancer. Subsequently, each time a member of the extended Mary Kay family was diagnosed with cancer, she became even more determined to work to find a cure.

In 1987, Mary Kay decided to put her money where her heart was and asked employees at Mary Kay Inc. and the independent sales force to do the same. Together, they began raising funds for cancer research, and in 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation was established to formalize the raising and distributing of research funds for cancers affecting women. In 2009, the name of the Foundation was changed to The Mary Kay Foundation.

Mary Kay Ash cared about all issues affecting women, and she knew domestic violence was a problem in the community. She began to hear how prevalently this issue affected the Mary Kay Inc. independent sales force across the nation. So in July 2000, The Foundation embraced a second mission: to prevent violence against women.